WASHINGTON—Today, the Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) released the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision in Trump v. Hawaii, also known as the Muslim travel ban case.
“As an organization dedicated to racial and health equity, APIAHF is deeply disappointed in the Court’s decision in Trump v. Hawaii that upholds the President’s Muslim travel ban targeting people of color, including people in Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities, for their religious beliefs. This discriminatory policy echoes the hateful rhetoric about immigrants being ‘animals’ and risks to our nation. As such, the decision perpetuates racism, xenophobia and fear against AA and NHPI communities, in particular Muslim communities.
In today’s decision, the Court repudiated its infamous 1944 decision in Korematsu v. United States and renounced the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. At the same time, the Court characterized the Muslim ban as a ‘neutral policy’ and failed to acknowledge how the Muslim travel ban similarly discriminates against a group of people based on their ancestry like in Korematsu.
APIAHF will continue to advocate for respect, fairness, and equity for all persons, regardless of where they are from.”